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In his book The Poetics of Rock, Albin Zaks explains that recording “includes many skills and sensibilities not traditionally associated with musical composition.” Zaks was one of few, aside from perhaps Les Paul, who foresaw the future of recording and the ways in which it would not only change music, but alter the ways in which musicians were able to create it. Today, we are seeing an increasing number of musicians who rarely enter a traditional studio, but can create an entire record all on their own with only a few microphones and an 8 track. It eliminates the need for a band, and it allows the genius of one musician to come alive without any outside help. Take Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker or Matt Mondanile’s early Ducktails recordings, or perhaps the latest example in Dutchman Jacco Gardner. Mining a well of 60s influences and studio masters like Syd Barrett, The Zombies, Curt Boettcher, Gardner’s debut LP for Trouble in Mind, Cabinet of Curiosities, traverses a similarly psychy-pop trail and was recorded entire by Gardner in his “Shadow Shoppe” home studio in Zwaag, Netherlands. But, like Parker, Gardner also sought help from a seasoned veteran to during the mixing and mastering process, famed studio engineer Jan Audier who worked on albums by Q65 and Golden Earring (in Parker’s case it was Dave Friedman of Flaming Lips fame). Hear Gardner’s lush arrangements and studio wizardry in the standout album track, “Where Will You Go,” below.

Greetings friends and fellow travelers. As the year comes to a close, we find ourselves looking back on all the great music that came out of 2012. This year offered much hope for the future, including the emergence of folk singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt; Swedish music collective GOAT; Southern England’s Beaulieu Porch; and new Brooklyn based label Beyond Beyond is Beyond, who brought us the debut album from Prince Rupert’s Drops. This was another exceptional year for new releases and we’re psyched to present to you our picks for the best albums of 2012. Tell us about your favorite albums of 2012 in the comments section below.

Tame Impala let their psychedelic side shine in their new video for the Lonerism track “Elephant.” Day-glo kaleidoscope visuals swirl throughout the analog synthesized video directed by artist Yoshi Sodeoka, with live footage from The Silentlights.

POND hail from Perth, Australia, the same stomping grounds as brother band Tame Impala, who share three of the same band members. The bands also share common sonic ground—traversing the inners of contemporary psych-pop—although POND’s approach is more straight-forward and remains closer to a vintage 70’s psych sound. Tame guitarist Nick Albrook, who pens the group’s songs and takes on vocal duties, is joined by bandmate drummer Jay Watson, and Joseph Orion as well as Tame frontman Kevin Parker (on drums) for live shows. The band has three albums out (which you can purchase via iTunes) and another expected to drop in 2012. Check out the video below, which contains the song “Greens Pool” off a limited edition 7″ vinyl available through Badminton Bandit. I’ve also thrown in the video for “Annie Orangetree” to give you a better idea.